Delhaize victim of decades-long corruption

Belgian supermarket group Delhaize has
been the victim of internal corruption. For years, a former Delhaize manager
demanded bribes from contractors who were working for the distribution group. In total, the scandal could have
lasted 20 years.

Cash, football tickets,
jaunts…

The public prosecutor of Brussels is taking 7 suspects and 5 companies to court for several charges: bribery, counterfeiting,
use of forged items, scams, fiscal fraud and forming a gang of criminals. That is according to business paper
De Tijd.

The 62-year-old Hugo J. is the main suspect and a former Delhaize
manager, responsible for dealing with contractors who had to construct and
maintain Delhaize’s properties. Hugo was probably assisted by Ludo D., an engineer from
Grontmij. He took charge of the building sites and he
created the designs.

Both men decided to take advantage of additional benefits: from cash
and jaunts to the United States, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia to tickets for
football matches and free alterations to
privately-owned houses. They forged invoices, allowing the contractors to
bill the bribes to Delhaize in a scam that lasted up to 20 years. Nevertheless, the courts are
focusing on events between 2001 and 2006.

Delhaize satisfied

The list of contractors involved in the corruption scheme is apparently a
lot longer than the current list of accused parties, but Delhaize claimed to be satisfied that a trial will be held
to punish those responsible.

"Delhaize is satisfied that this will go to trial”, states Delhaize spokesperson
Roel Dekelver, who emphasizes that the group is a victim in this case. “We found out about this situation ourselves
and lodged an official complaint, claiming damages. Evidently, we have
taken the necessary internal measures to ensure that this will never happen
again."

The trial will commence on 8 November. It is unique in the sense that
usually companies prefer to deal with
internal corruption in-doors, fearing negative publicity. The possible sentence
for kickbacks is imprisonment between 6 months and 3 years. Aggravating
circumstances may lead to ten years in jail.

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